Wash. Court of Appeals published opinion — 877933 Order and Opinion.pdf

Citation: Wash. Court of Appeals published opinion — 877933 Order and Opinion.pdf
Jurisdiction: Washington (state)
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Original Source: https://www.courts.wa.gov/opinions/pdf/877933%20Order%20and%20Opinion.pdf ↗

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that other hospital employees doubted his intelligence and competence in his role

and that, for the full 21 years, he was not “welcome” in the professional space.

More overtly, other witnesses testified that the president of an affiliated

research institute, Jim Hendricks, referred to Danielson using an egregious racial

slur, and that the hospital did not address the slur even after it was reported to the

president of the Seattle Children’s Foundation and the hospital’s Chief Executive

Officer (CEO).

Danielson also testified about systemic racism that impacted both

employees and patients in the hospital. At a meeting of the board of directors in

2019, Danielson expressed concerns that the hospital was not prioritizing funding

that would serve the African American community. In 2020, Danielson was

investigated for a HIPAA violation, and then for other alleged issues with his

leadership. The investigation found that some allegations of misconduct were at

least partially substantiated. They planned to conduct a “360 review 1 of [his]

leadership” and require Danielson to work with a leadership coach. Danielson

believed this was a retaliation for what he had said at the board meeting. He

resigned from his position at the hospital.

1 A “360 review” is a professional development tool intended to provide those in

leadership positions with feedback from multiple sources.
2
No. 87793-3-I/3

After Danielson resigned, the hospital hired the law firm Covington and

Burling to complete an investigation and assessment of racial equity in the hospital.

The firm produced a report (the Covington report) which included both findings and

recommendations. Among other findings, the report stated that the hospital indeed